Regular jogging won’t kill you and adds years to life

Taking a jog could add some years to your life, finds a new study. Getting out and jogging until you feel just a bit breathless, can add about 6.2 years to lifespan, according to the latest data from the Copenhagen City Heart study.

Study ends jogging controversy

The study ends controversy about the safety of jogging. Peter Schnohr, chief cardiologist of the Copenhagen City Heart Study said in a news release, “We can say with certainty that regular jogging increases longevity. The good news is that you don't actually need to do that much to reap the benefits."

The statement is in response to men who died when jogging when the activity became popular in the 70’s and several newspapers suggested it might not be healthy.

If you’re not a runner and walking isn’t quite enough to get your metabolism in gear or your heart rate up, the news is good. According to the results, just 1 to 2.5 hours of jogging each week, over two to three sessions, can deliver maximum health benefits; reducing risk of death by 44% for men and women.

But that’s not all – jogging lowers blood pressure and keeps blood from clotting to help prevent heart attack and stroke and boosts immunity. Why is jogging good for mental health? Schnohr says it’s because people interact socially when they’re out doing it.

Tips for preventing injuries associated with running and jogging, from Neal Chan, University of Michigan, include using running shoes with good arch support, jog (or run) on soft surfaces instead of concrete to avoid shin splints and start slowly. He also warns about jogging and running in deep sand that can lead to Achilles tendon injuries.

If you’re looking for a well-rounded, fat- burning exercise activity, the new study results show jogging is safe, healthy and can help us live longer.